Political Blotter » Barbara Boxerhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics
Politics in the Bay Area and beyondFri, 27 Feb 2015 17:26:41 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1Who will skip Netanyahu’s speech to Congress?http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/25/who-will-skip-netanyahus-speech-to-congress/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/25/who-will-skip-netanyahus-speech-to-congress/#commentsWed, 25 Feb 2015 23:07:37 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=29026The Bay Area delegation is split over attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress next Tuesday, March 3. Democrats and the White House remain miffed that House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, invited Netanyahu unilaterally. The Israeli leader is expected to speak against the Obama administration’s ongoing nuclear negotiations with [...]]]>

The Bay Area delegation is split over attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress next Tuesday, March 3.

Democrats and the White House remain miffed that House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, invited Netanyahu unilaterally. The Israeli leader is expected to speak against the Obama administration’s ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, instead urging Congress to impose further sanctions; also, the address comes two weeks before Israel’s legislative election. For these reasons, and as some pro-Palestinian groups urge a boycott, some Democrats are choosing to skip the speech.

Lofgren: “I am disappointed Speaker Boehner chose to irresponsibly interject politics into what has long been a strong and bipartisan relationship between the United States and Israel. As President Obama has noted, it is inappropriate for a Head of State to address Congress just two weeks ahead of their election. I agree that Congress should not be used as a prop in Israeli election campaigns, so I intend to watch the speech on TV in my office.”

Huffman: “I call upon Speaker Boehner and Ambassador Dermer to do the right thing and postpone this speech. Once the election in Israel is over and the current P5+1 negotiating deadline has passed, they should respect protocol and confer with President Obama and congressional Democrats on a time for the Prime Minister of Israel to address a joint session of Congress.”

Boxer: “Whether I wind up going or not, it was a terrible mistake by the Republican majority to play politics with this enduring relationship.”

McNerney, via spokesman Michael Cavaiola: “Rep. McNerney is not planning to attend the speech. He’s got several previously planned commitments for that day.”

DeSaulnier, via spokeswoman Betsy Arnold Marr: “Congressman DeSaulnier has not made a final decision as he hopes the Prime Minister will reconsider his plans particularly in light of the upcoming election.”

Honda, via spokesman Ken Scudder: “Congressman Honda regrets that Speaker Boehner ignored protocol in making this invitation. The speaker turned what should have been an important visit of one of our closest allies into a political stunt. Congressman Honda also has concerns about the potential political nature of this speech given Israel’s elections are less than two weeks away. Despite this, and the congressman’s disagreement with the Prime Minister’s opposition to the U.S. nuclear negotiations with Iran, Congressman Honda is going to attend the address on March 3. The United States and Israel share strong cultural, economic and security partnerships, and he will attend the speech to hear firsthand what the Prime Minister has to say on these serious and complicated issues.”

Thompson, via spokesman Austin Vevurka: “We still don’t know what the Congressman’s schedule will be that week, but I will of course keep you posted as we know more. That being said, Congressman Thompson understands the importance of hearing from international leaders, but he is concerned that the speech has become overtly political. He hopes the speech is rescheduled and Netanyahu is invited back at a later date in a manner that respects long-established diplomatic protocol.”

]]>http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/25/who-will-skip-netanyahus-speech-to-congress/feed/12New bill would require vaccination for Head Starthttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/06/new-bill-would-require-vaccination-for-head-start/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/06/new-bill-would-require-vaccination-for-head-start/#commentsFri, 06 Feb 2015 23:35:08 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=28854All children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs across the nation would have to be fully vaccinated unless they’re exempted for medical reasons, under a bill that U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Anna Eshoo say they’ll introduce next week. “More than a million of our children attend Head Start programs all [...]]]>

“More than a million of our children attend Head Start programs all over the country, and we must protect every single one of these kids from preventable diseases like measles,” Boxer, D-Calif., said in a news release. “This simple bill is an important step toward strengthening our vaccination policies at all levels of government to prevent the spread of deadly diseases.”

Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, said it was “the genius of American scientists that developed vaccines to eradicate polio and many other diseases. This bill is a ‘booster shot’ for our nation’s vaccine policies and will mitigate the spread of deadly disease.”

Parents could get a medical exemption only if a certified health care provider determines that their child has an underlying medical condition that precludes vaccination, such as an autoimmune deficiency, chemotherapy treatment or a recent transplant. Head Start programs would assist families in accessing the services they need in order to get their children fully vaccinated.

California is in the throes of its worst measles outbreak in decades, with more than 100 infections reported so far. Exemptions to vaccinations required for school have skyrocketed in recent decades as parents – acting on a study which since has been thoroughly debunked – feared vaccines might be linked to the onset of autism, or simply feared other health effects from the vaccines’ ingredients.

]]>http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/06/new-bill-would-require-vaccination-for-head-start/feed/16Poll makes case for Latino U.S. Senate candidatehttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/03/poll-makes-case-for-latino-u-s-senate-candidate/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/03/poll-makes-case-for-latino-u-s-senate-candidate/#commentsTue, 03 Feb 2015 17:31:11 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=28795Having a Latino run to succeed U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2016 would energize California’s pro-Democrat Latino electorate, according to a poll commissioned by the Golden States’s Latino lawmakers. “One of the goals of the Latino Caucus is to develop avenues that empower the Latino community all across the state of California,” Assemblyman Luis Alejo, [...]]]>

Having a Latino run to succeed U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2016 would energize California’s pro-Democrat Latino electorate, according to a poll commissioned by the Golden States’s Latino lawmakers.

“One of the goals of the Latino Caucus is to develop avenues that empower the Latino community all across the state of California,” Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, who chairs the California Latino Legislative Caucus, said in a news release. “This survey shows that a viable Latino candidate would generate enthusiasm and increase turnout among Latino voters, which would help Democrats across the board.”

The survey is meant to take air from the sails of Attorney General Kamala Harris, who so far is the only declared candidate in the race. The Latino lawmakers’ poll – conducted Jan. 27-29 by the Garin Hart Yang Research Group among 600 likely voters statewide – found Harris has a strong head start among Democrats.

“But her advantage over her potential opponents is far from overwhelming given that she has been on the statewide ballot TWICE since 2010,” the poll memo concluded. “Given the fluidity that is typical of primary elections and a constituency that has not voted in strong numbers but has the potential to be energized, there is real potential here for a credible Latino candidate.”

Harris has never taken any campaign for granted, campaign manager Brian Brokaw said Tuesday.

“She has won statewide office in California twice since 2010 by assembling a coalition of voters that represents the diversity of the largest state in the country, and that is exactly how she intends to win election to the U.S. Senate,” he said. “As the daughter of immigrants and a champion on so many of the issues facing California’s Latino population — homeowner protections, immigrants’ rights, environmental justice, combating gang crime, fighting elementary school truancy — she looks forward to once again earning the support of the state’s Latino population and representing all Californians in the Senate.”

But that matchup posits only one Latino candidate in the field, while several have expressed interest in running. The poll also found Villaraigosa has 66 percent name recognition while Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, has 46 percent, Secretary of State Alex Padilla has 41 percent and Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, has 25 percent. Harris clocked in at 62 percent name recognition.

Assemblywoman Nora Campos, D-San Jose, another Latino caucus member, said this race has importance beyond the candidates themselves. “An exciting race can generate enthusiasm among voters that have not been energized in years. We need only look at the last election to see what happens when we had low excitement at the top of the ticket – we had record low-turnout.”

Sure, true. But that was a midterm election in which the governor’s race was a snooze. 2016 will be a presidential election, and while that might be a fait accompli in California – in the Democratic primary if Hillary Clinton has already run away with it in earlier states, and in the general given that California will go to whoever the Democratic nominee is – it undoubtedly will have a much bigger and more diverse turnout than 2014 no matter who’s running for Senate.

Side note for political nerds: Brokaw, Harris’ campaign manager, some years ago had worked for the now-defunct Acosta/Salazar media relations, campaign management and public affairs firm. Roger Salazar’s clients now include the California Latino Legislative Caucus.

]]>http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/02/03/poll-makes-case-for-latino-u-s-senate-candidate/feed/7Barbara Boxer praises BART’s plan to ban e-cigshttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/28/barbara-boxer-praises-barts-plan-to-ban-e-cigs/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/28/barbara-boxer-praises-barts-plan-to-ban-e-cigs/#commentsWed, 28 Jan 2015 22:33:37 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=28739U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer is thanking BART for its plan to ban use of e-cigarettes on trains and in stations. “Research has raised major concerns about secondhand exposure to e-cigarette vapor,” Boxer, D-Calif., wrote in a letter sent Wednesday to Bay Area Rapid Transit Board President Thomas Blalock. “This is particularly relevant in small, enclosed [...]]]>

“Research has raised major concerns about secondhand exposure to e-cigarette vapor,” Boxer, D-Calif., wrote in a letter sent Wednesday to Bay Area Rapid Transit Board President Thomas Blalock. “This is particularly relevant in small, enclosed spaces such as trains and stations, leading the World Health Organization to recommend that steps be taken to end the use of e-cigarettes indoors in public and work places.”

The BART Board of Directors will hold a final vote to approve the ban on Feb. 12. Boxer last June wrote to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx asking him to ban the use of such devices on airplanes.

I would like to thank the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) for your efforts to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in BART trains and stations.

Research has raised major concerns about secondhand exposure to e-cigarette vapor. This is particularly relevant in small, enclosed spaces such as trains and stations, leading the World Health Organization to recommend that steps be taken to end the use of e-cigarettes indoors in public and work places. Their report also concludes that the “aerosol is not merely ‘water vapour’ as is often claimed in the marketing for these products” and that e-cigarette use “increases exposure of non-smokers and bystanders to nicotine and a number of toxicants.”

Similarly, both a May 3, 2014 New York Times article entitled “Some E-Cigarettes Deliver a Puff of Carcinogens” and a January 22, 2015 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that a number of harmful toxins, including formaldehyde, can be released in to the air via the vapor of certain high-powered e-cigarettes.

Finally, e-cigarettes pose a danger to children. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that e-cigarette use among teenagers tripled over two years. E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which according to the Surgeon General is a highly addictive drug that can have adverse effects on adolescent brain development. Additionally, e-cigarettes could ultimately be a gateway for children to become smokers of regular cigarettes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that young people who have never smoked a conventional cigarette are twice as likely to have intentions to start smoking after using e-cigarettes.

The Board’s leadership is crucial in promoting and protecting the health of Bay Area residents. Please be assured that on the federal level, I will continue to press for legislation and policies that protect the public’s health.

The big U.S. Senate 2016 news du jour is that hedge fund billionaire and environmental activist Tom Steyer won’t be in the race, but meanwhile, California Attorney General Kamala Harris – the only person to declare candidacy so far – continues rolling out endorsements.

“As a leader in protecting the privacy rights of consumers, preserving California’s environment, and fighting for women’s rights, Kamala is the best candidate to carry on the legacy of our great Senator Barbara Boxer,” Honda said in a news release. “Kamala and I share a deep passion for many of the issues important to California families, and I look forward to continuing our work together when Attorney General Harris becomes our newest Senator.”

Harris said she and Honda “have enjoyed a long partnership on many important issues such as combating domestic violence, improving public safety, and protecting civil rights for all Americans. I look forward to continuing our work together.”

]]>http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/22/mike-honda-endorses-kamala-harris-for-senate/feed/1Eric Swalwell endorses Kamala Harris for Senatehttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/21/eric-swalwell-endorses-kamala-harris-for-senate/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/21/eric-swalwell-endorses-kamala-harris-for-senate/#commentsWed, 21 Jan 2015 22:19:57 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=28695Rep. Eric Swalwell, the East Bay congressman who’d sent up a trial balloon last week about running for the U.S. Senate seat that Barbara Boxer will vacate in 2016, instead endorsed California Attorney General Kamala Harris for that seat Wednesday. “From her days as a prosecutor in the Alameda County D.A.’s office through her time [...]]]>

Rep. Eric Swalwell, the East Bay congressman who’d sent up a trial balloon last week about running for the U.S. Senate seat that Barbara Boxer will vacate in 2016, instead endorsed California Attorney General Kamala Harris for that seat Wednesday.

“From her days as a prosecutor in the Alameda County D.A.’s office through her time as California Attorney General, Kamala has been an innovative and effective leader on so many issues facing Californians — crime prevention, consumer protections, environmental preservation, and strengthening public education,” said Swalwell, D-Dublin, who also was an Alameda County prosecutor. “I look forward to campaigning alongside Kamala and working together on behalf of the next generation of Californians.”

Swalwell, 34, who has just begun his second House term, will serve Harris’ campaign as chairman of Young Professionals outreach, spearheading young voter organizing and fundraising efforts. Harris said he’s “an incredibly hard-working and effective representative of his East Bay constituents in Congress, and I am grateful to have him by my side in this campaign.”

]]>http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/21/eric-swalwell-endorses-kamala-harris-for-senate/feed/0A third U.S. Senator supports Kamala Harrishttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/16/a-third-u-s-senator-supports-kamala-harris/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/16/a-third-u-s-senator-supports-kamala-harris/#commentsFri, 16 Jan 2015 20:20:30 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=28608A third U.S. Senator has lent her support to California Attorney General Kamala Harris’ bid to succeed Barbara Boxer in 2016. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sent an email to supporters Friday morning saying that if they don’t know Harris yet, they will soon. “Kamala’s awesome record speaks for itself: She’s been a fierce advocate [...]]]>

A third U.S. Senator has lent her support to California Attorney General Kamala Harris’ bid to succeed Barbara Boxer in 2016.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sent an email to supporters Friday morning saying that if they don’t know Harris yet, they will soon.

“Kamala’s awesome record speaks for itself: She’s been a fierce advocate for women and children, common sense gun safety reform, and equal opportunity for all Americans,” Gillibrand wrote. “She’s exactly the kind of leader we need in the Senate – but she’ll have to fight every single day to get there.”

The email included a fundraising plea, with a goal of $35,000 by midnight Friday to “get Kamala off to the strong start she needs,” Gillibrand added. “Kamala has had a slew of firsts: the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian to be elected as California’s attorney general. I have no doubt she’s up to the challenge ahead. I am truly thrilled Kamala’s in this race – and I hope you’ll join me in supporting her today.”

Gillibrand’s email follows support from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who tweeted out a fundraising plea:

Harris also Friday rolled out an endorsement from California Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego. “From her relentless advocacy for California homeowners, to her innovative crime fighting strategies as California’s top cop, Kamala is exactly what California needs to carry on the strong legacy and powerful example set by Barbara Boxer,” Atkins said.

UPDATE @ 2:07 P.M.: Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, is about to email out her own fundraising plea on Harris’ behalf.

“I am proud to tell you that I enthusiastically endorse her candidacy, and will do everything in my power to help her cross the finish line,” Lee wrote in the email, citing Harris’ progressive credentials including her championing a Homeowners’ Bill of Rights; protecting consumers from identify theft and predatory lending; and as district attorney, creating special units to tackle hate crimes and environmental protection. “Kamala is exactly the kind of tough progressive we need fighting for California in Washington.”

]]>http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/16/a-third-u-s-senator-supports-kamala-harris/feed/9Will the rich buy California’s 2016 Senate race?http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/14/will-the-rich-buy-californias-2016-senate-race/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/14/will-the-rich-buy-californias-2016-senate-race/#commentsWed, 14 Jan 2015 18:29:20 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=28548Campaign finance reform is needed to keep California’s 2016 U.S. Senate race from being bought by a small number of deep-pocketed donors, a consumer advocacy group said Wednesday. The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) is pushing for a federal program that would match small contributions with limited public funds, so that grassroots candidates relying [...]]]>

Campaign finance reform is needed to keep California’s 2016 U.S. Senate race from being bought by a small number of deep-pocketed donors, a consumer advocacy group said Wednesday.

The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) is pushing for a federal program that would match small contributions with limited public funds, so that grassroots candidates relying on small donors can compete with big-money candidates.

“California is no exception to the rule of big donor domination of politics,” CALPIRG campaign organizer Zach Weinstein said in a news release. “Any candidate who wants to run a viable campaign for Senate in 2016 will need to raise millions and millions of dollars to do so, and our current system makes that level of fundraising nearly impossible if you rely on small donors. Unless you’re connected to a network of big donors, you’re out of the running before you even start. The reforms we’re proposing could fundamentally change that system.”

Candidates in California’s last four Senate elections raised an average of $8.76 million, according to a memo issued Wednesday by CALPIRG; the highest amount, $23.17 million, was raised by Boxer for her 2010 re-election battle against Republican Carly Fiorina, who raised $11.63 million.

Current rules say individual donors can give up to $2,600 to a candidate for a primary election and another $2,600 for the general election for a total of $5,200 per campaign cycle; the Federal Election Commission will to revise this limit upward in the next few weeks after receiving new Consumer Price Index figures from the Labor Department.

But based on the current limit, a Senate candidate would have to raise more than $13,000 from individuals every day from now until Election Day in order to hit the average $8.76 million mark, CALPIRG notes. For a candidate relying on donors who “max out,” that’s five donors per day; for a candidate relying on small donors giving an average of $150, that’s 88 donors per day.

“When campaigns are paid for by big donors, those are the voices candidates hear the loudest,” Weinstein said. “In a democracy based on the principle of one person, one vote, small donors should be at the center of campaign finance – not an afterthought.”

]]>http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/14/will-the-rich-buy-californias-2016-senate-race/feed/3Senate 2016: A tale of three GOP chairmenhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/12/senate-2016-a-tale-of-three-gop-chairmen/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/12/senate-2016-a-tale-of-three-gop-chairmen/#commentsTue, 13 Jan 2015 01:45:57 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=28518Two former California Republican Party chairmen, both from the Bay Area, say they’re seriously considering running to succeed U.S. Sen. Barbrara Boxer in 2016 while a third ex-chairman won’t rule it out. But having been the state GOP’s chief executive might not be the best resume fodder for this or any statewide race. Tom Del [...]]]>

Two former California Republican Party chairmen, both from the Bay Area, say they’re seriously considering running to succeed U.S. Sen. Barbrara Boxer in 2016 while a third ex-chairman won’t rule it out.

But having been the state GOP’s chief executive might not be the best resume fodder for this or any statewide race.

Tom Del Beccaro, 53, of Lafayette, who chaired the party from 2011 to 2013, was first out of the gate – he had a publicist issue a news release last Thursday, within hours of Boxer’s announcement that she wouldn’t run.

“My first love has been national politics and foreign affairs for decades,” he said during an interview Monday.

“Seats like this don’t come open very often. I want to be part of the debate and I want to make sure our side has a positive image and positive things to say.”

George “Duf” Sundheim, 62, of Los Altos Hills, who chaired the party from 2003 to 2007, also has floated a trial balloon.

Sundheim said Monday he’s moved by the plight of students in failing schools, and of small businesses lacking access to capital. It’s not a matter of whether we should be in the political left lane or the right lane, he said: “We’re on the wrong road.”

Framing a race like this as Republican versus Democrat or conservative versus liberal won’t work well for the Republican conservatives, he added, but voters would much rather hear about the future versus the status quo. If a candidate can do that, he said, “I think you have a real shot.”

And Ron Nehring, 44, of El Cajon, who chaired the party from 2007 to 2011, said Monday he’s “very flattered that people have been talking about me as a potential candidate for the office. … Let’s just leave it at that.” Nehring is the only one of the three who has even sought elected office before: He ran for lieutenant governor last year, finishing 14 percentage points behind incumbent Democrat Gavin Newsom.

Should they run, they could find that having chaired their state party is more liability than asset. Already each has critics within the party who are burning up various social media with reasons they shouldn’t run.

“A necessary (but not sufficient) ingredient for a successful California senate run is the ability to raise tens of millions of dollars for your campaign, and another is significant name recognition,” one state GOP insider said Monday on condition of anonymity. “An ideal candidate would also have been elected to office before, preferable statewide or in a major city.”

“Neither of these two candidates (Sundheim and Del Beccaro) has these necessary qualifications,” the party insider said.

Lots more, after the jump…

Sure, they have contacts among grassroots activists and deep-pocketed donors all over the state. But as chairs, each also made his own enemies within the notoriously fractious party, and so each might have just as hard a time unifying the GOP base as he would wooing independents and Democrats.

When Sundheim took its reins, the California Republican Party was broke; when he left, it was $4.6 million in debt, having spent big with little result in 2006’s elections. Similarly, Del Beccaro left the party with somewhere north of $500,000 in debt. That’s considerable ammunition for potential opponents to question their fiscal responsibility bona fides.

Between the two, Nehring oversaw the retirement of the debts accrued under Sundheim’s leadership. But despite rhetoric about taking the party in new directions to make it attractive to a wider sweep of voters, none of the three seem to have succeeded: California became a state in which no Republicans hold statewide office, and where GOP voter registration has now fallen to a meager 28.1 percent.

Having never held or even run for elected office before, neither Sundheim nor Del Beccaro has much name recognition beyond the party, though both have been trying to change that. Sundheim has been making a name for himself as a television political pundit, notably in 2012 and 2013 as a recurring guest on Current TV’s “The War Room” hosted by former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Del Beccaro has done some broadcast pundtiry as well but also is a prolific commentator through his PoliticalVanguard.com website; his second book, “The Divided Era,” will be published in May.

“Writing about, thinking about these major issues for decades – I don’t come to this with a blank slate, you can go online and see my opinions and thought processes for a long time,” Del Beccaro said Monday, adding his forthcoming book deals with some of the same issues he would raise in a campaign. “I’m going to run a campaign that talks about how to rise above political division.”

But that GOP insider believes this is a fool’s errand for either Sundheim or Del Beccaro.

“Tom should focus on his media career. And Duf was a good leader in better times, when money was flowing freely through the party’s coffers,” this person said. “The pool of candidates who can successfully run and have a chance at winning is tiny, and no former party chairman makes the cut.”

]]>http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/12/senate-2016-a-tale-of-three-gop-chairmen/feed/6Tom Del BeccaroDuf SundheimRon NehringReactions to Barbara Boxer’s decision not to runhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/08/reactions-to-barbara-boxers-decision-not-to-run/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2015/01/08/reactions-to-barbara-boxers-decision-not-to-run/#commentsThu, 08 Jan 2015 20:17:01 +0000Josh Richmanhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/?p=28496Click here to read our full story on Boxer’s decision. From U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.: “It was 22 years ago this week when Barbara became a senator, and she has certainly left her mark. After I spoke with Barbara this morning about her decision, I realized that even though she may leave the Senate, [...]]]>

“It was 22 years ago this week when Barbara became a senator, and she has certainly left her mark. After I spoke with Barbara this morning about her decision, I realized that even though she may leave the Senate, I’m confident she’ll remain a champion on the many issues that defined her public service.

“Barbara took on a lot of challenges in Congress, but I think I’m most grateful for her hard work in support of women and families, the environment, human rights and her tireless efforts to modernize our country’s infrastructure. She has made a real difference for California and the country.

“Barbara and I worked particularly hard on the fight against global warming—I think no one is more engaged on this issue than she. It’s been an uphill battle, but today we’re seeing the success Barbara has had on making climate change a real priority for Americans.

“I always knew I had a partner in Barbara. She is never one to shy away from any challenge, and I can’t thank her enough for being such a resilient collaborator. We blazed many trails together, and now I’m eager to see where her next steps take her. Barbara is so passionate about so many things, I know her work has really just started. I’m sure she’ll continue to be a role model and inspiration to us all.

“Barbara, thank you and best wishes as you take that next step forward. It has been a true honor to serve with you.”

“Senator Boxer’s impending retirement at the end of 2016 will bring a long-overdue opportunity for change to California’s representation in the Senate. For far too long Senator Boxer has pushed a liberal agenda that does little to address the challenges facing millions of Californians and Americans alike. Important issues to Californians such as the economy, technology, energy policy, excessive regulation on small businesses, education, and meaningful immigration reform have fallen behind in the wake of her focus to push a strictly partisan agenda at the cost of California citizens. We look forward to a spirited campaign to replace Senator Boxer with someone more in line with the needs and the goals of California voters.”

From House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, at her weekly news conference:

“She called me before I came down here. It’s funny, she called me and she said she wanted to talk to me personally. I thought maybe she wanted to have dinner tonight or something. Oh my. Well, her decision is an important one for her and her family. It’s all personal and individual. Senator Boxer has been such a champion for the people of California and, indeed, for our entire country.

“I have always said of Congresswoman Boxer, Senator Boxer – Congresswoman when I came to Congress – Senator Boxer, that she is – this will sound like an oxymoron to you, but she is one of the most unselfish politicians I have ever known of. She has always shared her ideas. She has always shared the credit. She has always tried to help people succeed with their ideas. She has reached across the aisle. She has reached across our state, which is a glorious state. And her leaving will be a great loss to the Congress of the United States, the people of California, and to our country.

“I hope as she goes – I assume that she’s not running, but she’ll be here the next two years – and in the course of that time, there will be real recognition of the difference that she has made for fairness in our economy, protection of our environment, respect for our men and women in uniform. She’s really a great leader for our country – small in size but a giant in terms of her contribution to the country. I didn’t know. As I said, all I had was a call from her, but I didn’t want to keep you waiting.

“It’s a real loss, I think. But God bless her, for her decision. And I wish her and Stewart and their family well. Thank you. My granddaughter just took her grandson out for their sixth birthday. They were born a couple months apart. So we are very close, from a family standpoint. Senator Boxer had a shower for my daughter, Christine, five days [before] – that would be six years [ago] – and the next day, her daughter Nicole had the baby, Sawyer. So they are just very close in age. And our family celebrations have been together over time, whether it’s weddings or babies or whatever. So, it’s a close personal friendship.

“Of course, I wish the best for her in that regard personally. Officially, I think it’s a big loss for the country. But she knows her timetable. Thank you very much.”

Much, much more, after the jump…

WASHINGTON FOLKS

From President Barack Obama:

“Barbara Boxer is more than a Senator – she’s an institution. She’s served the people of California for more than three decades with distinction, fighting for the issues that are close to their homes and hearts. Thanks to Barbara, more Americans breathe clean air and drink clean water. More women have access to healthcare. More children have safe places to go after school. More public lands have been protected for future generations. More Americans travel on safe roads and bridges. And more young women have been inspired to achieve their biggest dreams, having Barbara as an incredible role model.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Barbara. She works as hard as anyone to get things done for the people of California. When she leaves the Senate at the end of this term, she will be missed greatly. But for now, I’m looking forward to working with her for the next two years, on behalf of Californians and all Americans.”

From Vice President Joe Biden:

“Barbara Boxer has been my soul mate in the Senate for a long time. She and Stew have been close friends of Jill and mine for many years. I have to be honest and say I’m very sorry she is leaving.

“The Senate is losing a passionate voice, and a great leader in the environmental movement. She had the vision to promote a green economy, and she was one of the first to press for a cap on carbon emissions.

“It was a particular honor to work with her on the Violence Against Women Act. You always knew in the Senate if you had Barbara on your side, you didn’t need much more.

“I am sorry to see her go, but there are still two years left. And two years of Barbara Boxer is like having four to six years of any other Senator. She’s been a great Senator, and an even better friend.

“Today should be all about Senator Barbara Boxer and her remarkable career. Senator Boxer’s unrelenting advocacy for improving the environment, women’s rights and justice is unmatched in the Congress. She has been a champion for California, as one of our state’s strong female representatives in Washington for more than 30 years. It has been an honor to work with her to promote the views of our constituents in both chambers.

“I have always admired Senator Boxer’s fearlessness and strength. She never shrinks from a fight. Whether exposing the waste at the Department of Defense, preventing oil companies from drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or holding her colleagues to the high ethical standard the American people expect, she has stood tall and strong like a redwood tree in the face of powerful Washington interest. She will leave behind a proud legacy of achievements for women, families, consumers, and the environment.”

“For the past 22 years, my friend, Senator Barbara Boxer has served the people of California, and America, with grace, grit, and determination. Her passionate work for our environment, marriage equality, public safety, and women’s health issues are exemplary. She had the courage to vote against the Iraq War, the foresight to recognize the danger of the Taliban, and the wisdom to lead the fight to block drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Our work together to prevent human trafficking has shown me how she is able to turn her convictions into action. As an educator for over 30 years, I am especially pleased by her establishment of the Excellence in Education Award.

“The best word I can use to describe her time in office is ‘legendary.’ While I will miss her on Capitol Hill, I am glad that she plans to continue her great work outside of Congress. Thank you, my friend, for all you have done for our state and our country.”

“Senator Boxer has been a champion for California her entire career. Growing up in California and now representing Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, I have long admired Senator Boxer’s accomplishments and leadership. Thanks to Senator Boxer, our air and water are cleaner, our energy is greener, and our Bay Area economy has grown. In the East Bay, we can thank Senator Boxer for infrastructure improvements from expanded highways to the extension of BART.

“An advocate for women and families, Senator Boxer has paved the way for better access to healthcare, preschool, and has stood strong for our nation’s veterans. I am grateful for her strong leadership and look forward to continuing to work with her on issues important to Californians, like addressing climate change and bringing the innovation economy to all families. Her legacy will burn on for generations to come.”

“California is going to miss having Barbara Boxer in Congress. Throughout her career, as a journalist, a Congressional aide, a County Supervisor, a U.S Representative and a four-term Senator, she used her voice to fight for equality and opportunity for all Californians.

“Barbara was a wonderful representative for the Central Coast in the Senate. A fellow champion of the environment, she and I worked together to bring the White House’s first National Oceans Conference to the Monterey Bay, create the Ventana Wilderness and establish Pinnacles National Park. Her efforts will leave a lasting mark on our corner of California. I will miss working with her in Washington but I look forward to our continued friendship.”

“I have had the high-honor and great privilege to work closely with Senator Barbara Boxer since her days in the U.S. House of Representatives. Whether it was passing legislation together that successfully protected 273,000 acres of publicly-owned land as wilderness, or fighting for federal aid in the aftermath of the recent earthquake, Senator Boxer has always put the people of California first and our state is better because of her service. It has been my pleasure to serve with her and I look forward to continuing our work together this Congress.”

“Sen. Boxer is one of the great senators of our time and I am sorry that this will be her last session in Congress. She has played an especially vital role in protecting our environment. In one critical area above all others, history will judge her as a pioneer in efforts to get Congress to heed the warnings from scientists that we must act boldly to address the planetary crisis of global warming.

“I have been proud to serve under Chairman Boxer on the Senate environment committee. She is a good friend and an able ally who I look forward to working with during the coming session of Congress on our mutual goal of leaving our children and grandchildren a safer, cleaner planet than we inherited.”

From House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Vista, as reported by Politico:

“There’s been a vacancy for two decades. The fact that she’s not running doesn’t change the fact it’s always been a vacant office.”

“Senator Boxer has been a forceful advocate for the people of California. She’s brought verve and imagination to the Senate. There’s still much to do, and I look forward to working closely with her, particularly on issues related to climate change.”

“With the courage of her convictions and the unflinching spirit of a true warrior-advocate, Senator Barbara Boxer has earned a seat in the pantheon of great California leaders. On issue after issue, she has given voice to the voiceless, spoken truth to power, shined a bright light on injustices previously ignored, and brought dignity and honor to a profession that too often loses sight of those qualities. A champion for women and children and a force of nature for preserving our natural environment, her public service leaves a proud and indelible legacy.

“Growing up in Marin County, I remember Senator Boxer as my tenacious representative on the Board of Supervisors and I knew at a young age what every American everywhere now knows to be an immutable truth – there’s no ‘quit’ in Barbara Boxer. While she might leave the Senate, she will never retire from her leadership on the progressive causes she’s led for decades.

“For over three decades, Senator Barbara Boxer has served the people of California with an unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of her constituents and all Americans. Senator Boxer is a true progressive champion and a tireless advocate for California’s priorities. I know she will never stop fighting for what matters, and I wish her all the best.”

“Senator Boxer has been a stalwart champion for environmental, social, and economic justice. She is widely admired for her courage and demonstrated dedication, and she will leave a proud legacy with her work to improve the lives of all Americans.

“It was an honor to work with Senator Boxer, and I wish her the very best.”

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Barbara Boxer for her 33 years of service in the United States Congress. We will miss having such a strong, progressive leader representing the Golden State. From her passionate work addressing climate change, to her dogged determination to protect victims of sexual assault, Senator Boxer has always been – and I think always will be – a fierce advocate for environmental protections and women’s rights. Although she will retire from Capitol Hill in 2016, I am delighted to hear that she said she will continue to champion these important issues. We look forward to welcoming her back home full-time.”

“Senator Barbara Boxer’s leadership was one of California’s greatest renewable resources – a boundless passion that extended into almost every avenue that helps Californians. She exemplified everything you would want a public servant to be by putting everyday folks ahead of herself.

“We will miss that energy, that passion, and that leadership. But in some ways, it will feel like she’s still there in Washington, fighting for us every day.

“After her retirement, millions of Californians will still feel Senator Boxer’s influence in the increased access and affordability of their health care. Millions around the world will be able to get better treatment for HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis because of her bipartisan leadership.

“To Californians who are the beneficiaries of the medical research she championed, it will be as if Barbara Boxer is still in the halls of the Senate, amending bills to better the lives of her constituents.

“To Californians who rely on social security, Medicare, and Medicaid, the effects of Senator Boxer’s dedication to protecting their benefits will continue long after she leaves office.

“The air we breathe will be cleaner and the beautiful landscapes across California will preserved because of her environmental leadership. And there are countless more issues where Senator Boxer will continue to have more of an impact out of office than most elected officials can hope to have in office.

“I’d like to congratulate our esteemed Senator on a job well done. Senator Boxer has accomplished what she set out to do. She has made this state a better place, and for that she deserves our immense gratitude.

“I am so grateful to have had Barbara Boxer fighting for us. For more than 30 years, she has been an unstoppable force for progress. As President of California Women Lead, and as an elected official, I understand first-hand how important it has been to have someone like Barbara Boxer at the forefront of fighting for dignity and respect for all women, especially as women’s rights have come under attack throughout the country. And when it comes to issues like transportation, the environment, and opportunities for working families, Senator Boxer has been a leading and powerful voice for change. At every point in her career, she has shaken up the status quo, and left Marin County, California and the entire country better off because of her service.”

“For 32 years, Senator Barbara Boxer has been a champion in Congress for the environment, middle class jobs, educational opportunity, and clean technology. She stood up on tough issues like climate change when others wouldn’t, and she never backed down from a fight.

“I wish Senator Boxer all the best over her final two years in office and in the important work she will continue after she leaves the Senate. It will be sad to see her leave office, but I know she will never stop fighting for us.”

“I congratulate Sen. Boxer on her longtime public service and her many accomplishments, and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

“She has been a champion for public higher education in California and a crucial advocate for federal financial aid that so many students rely on at the University of California. Her focus on helping to prevent and respond to sexual violence on college campuses nationwide has helped give voice to survivors and encouraged all of us to address these crimes head-on. And everyone will benefit from her tireless work over the years to protect the environment.

“I am thrilled to hear that Sen. Boxer will continue to work on such critical issues that face Californians and all Americans, and look forward to continuing to collaborate with her in the future.”

“The retirement of Barbara Boxer provides California with the opportunity for new leadership. Our state needs a hopeful voice that will bring balance to our representation in Washington and favor economic prosperity for all Californians over economic directives from government. California has the richest natural and human resources in the world. We shouldn’t’ be number one in poverty, we should be number one in prosperity. Only by empowering individuals and fostering an environment for achievement can we regain that prosperity.”

“Senator Boxer has been a trailblazing champion of equality for LGBT people since her earliest days in public office. She was a leader against DOMA and ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ when many of her colleagues either championed or quietly voted for the discriminatory legislation. LGBT Americans need more principled leaders like Barbara Boxer fighting for full equality. We congratulate and thank her for her exceptional years of service and look forward to continuing to work with her throughout the remainder of her term.”

“The National LGBTQ Task Force joins LGBTQ advocates across the country in thanking U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer for building a lasting legacy of fairness, justice, and equality. Senator Boxer fought long and hard to advance LGBTQ equality, women’s rights, reproductive justice, environmental protections, and to secure good paying U.S.-based jobs.

“Senator Boxer’s shoes will be tough to fill due to her exceptional track record to secure equality for all: from leading the fight against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ to pushing to get Professor Anita Hill a hearing in the Senate during the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas, to standing up against California’s anti-marriage equality law Proposition 8, to the more recent passage of the HOPE Act to lift the ban on organ donations from HIV positive donors.”

“Barbara Boxer’s tireless work advocating for clean air, clean water and climate action has helped shape the movement for decades. She’s a fierce defender of public health who has stood up to Big Oil and corporate polluters at every turn. Senator Boxer is an indispensable ally, and we’ll greatly miss her leadership in Congress.”

“Senator Boxer has been a fierce champion of our health and our environment during her years in both the House and the Senate, and all Americans are better off because of her distinguished service. And we will continue working with her to her last day in Congress – and then beyond, since she made clear today her determination to keep on championing public health and environmental protection after leaving the Senate.”

“Over the course of her career, Senator Barbara Boxer has been a warrior for progressive causes—protecting our climate, championing the rights of women and children, and defending the core Democratic values of civil rights and economic equality for millions of Americans. We Californians have been very, very fortunate to have her representing us.

“I know that over the next two years, Senator Boxer will continue to serve California proudly in Washington, D.C. Moreover, as she enters the next chapter of her professional life, I am confident that Senator Boxer will never truly retire from fighting for the values she cares about so deeply.

“Senator Boxer has provided a model for how an outstanding U.S. Senator approaches the job: get up every day and go fight for those who most need someone in their corner—children, the disadvantaged, and those who face discrimination here in our country.

“Given her energy and commitment, I fully expect to continue to see the Senator atop the famous soap box from which she campaigned for so many years—advocating on behalf of those of our citizens who are most in need of her strong voice. Californians have been lucky to have her in our corner, and I know the best is yet to come.”

“For decades preventing gun violence has had few greater champions in the halls of Congress than Senator Barbara Boxer. She fought tirelessly to get the Brady bill passed and the law has blocked over 2.4 million gun sales to criminals and other dangerous people. Her leadership continued throughout her career. After the Sandy Hook massacre, she made protecting children from gun violence a top priority by introducing the School and Campus Safety Enhancements Act, legislation to authorize $40 million for school security grants and the establishment of tip lines for reporting potentially dangerous situations.

“We wish Sen. Barbara Boxer all the best and the nation is safer because of her tremendous dedication and leadership to prevent gun violence. She will be missed.”